Apparatus and method for supporting anchor bolt members when pouring concrete foundations and footings

ABSTRACT

An apparatus provides a means for retaining an anchor bolt in a generally vertical position as concrete slurry is poured around the anchor bolt. The apparatus comprises a generally horizontal first member, fashioned from wire material, which spans between two parallel lengths of rebar material. Each end of the first member is adapted to attach to a length of rebar material. Attached to the first member is a second member, also fashioned from wire material, which clips to the body of the anchor bolt. When installed, the second member and the anchor bolt will be generally transverse to the first member, and oriented in a generally vertical direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/811,577 has been filed for this invention on Jun. 6, 2006 for which this inventor claims domestic priority.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the construction of structures on concrete foundations, pads and footings (collectively referred to hereafter as “foundation”). In particular, an apparatus for retaining an anchor bolt member in a nearly vertical position prior to the pouring of the foundation is disclosed. The apparatus and the method are applied to inexpensively solve the problem of setting the anchor bolt member to achieve the necessary position and structural integrity.

A number of different devices are known for positioning a stud member prior to the pouring of a foundation. Examples of these devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,471,118; 3,552,734; 3,960,356; 4,736,554; 5,060,436; 5,240,224; 5,337,534; 5,670,076; 6,449,919; and Des. 312,382.

Anchor bolts are well known devices used in the foundation of a building and other structures. Anchor bolts generally attach structural members of a building to the foundation, such as attaching load bearing members of a structure to the foundation. If the anchor bolts themselves are not properly positioned and securely attached to the foundation, the structural integrity of the entire structure is at risk.

Anchor bolts are usually positioned prior to the pouring of the wet concrete of the foundation. However, the bolts are often not correctly positioned or displaced from the desired position by the pouring of the concrete. For example, the pouring of the concrete may knock a bolt off center, out of vertical, and/or cover the threads in concrete. The bottom end of an anchor bolt may be formed in a J-shape or S-shape so that it can be attached to round reinforcing rebar. However, this connection can be disrupted by the pouring of the concrete if the anchor bolt is not retained in the proper orientation during the pouring of the concrete.

Apart from properly positioning the anchor bolts, other important features of an anchor bolt holder include simplicity and cost. Devices have been proposed for holding anchor bolts in proper position, but the known devices do not have all the desirable features. The anchor bolt holders in the patents identified above are generally overly complex, thus making the devices more expensive than necessary and more difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide a solution to the need identified above. Embodiments of the disclosed apparatus are relatively easy to fabricate and install, are inexpensive, and adequately secure the anchor bolt for pouring of the concrete. An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a generally horizontal first member which spans between two parallel lengths of rebar material. The first member is fashioned from wire material. Each end of the first member may be adapted to attach to the respective length of rebar material. For example, each end of the first member may be manipulated by bending or other means to form a generally semi-circular end. Each semi-circular end has a diameter sufficiently large to clip partially around the rebar material and attach by various means such as by an interference fit between each semi-circular end and the body of the rebar material.

Attached to the first member is a second member which clips to the body of the anchor bolt. The second member is also fashioned from wire material. When installed, the second member and the anchor bolt will be generally transverse to the first member, where the second member and the anchor bolt are usually oriented in a generally vertical direction. The second member comprises means for attaching the anchor bolt to the second member and retaining the anchor bolt in a generally vertical orientation. For example, applying spring force, the second member supports the anchor bolt by clamping the anchor bolt between the top section and the bottom section of the second member. The second member, with the anchor bolt attached, is pivotally attached to the first member. The second member and anchor bolt, pivotally attached to the first member, are maintained in a generally vertical orientation by the weight of the anchor bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed anchor bolt support apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, showing the apparatus placed in a trench prepared for pouring a concrete footing.

FIG. 3 depicts a back view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus, showing an alternative means of attaching the apparatus to rebar material.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed method and apparatus work together to resolve the problem identified above. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a generally horizontal first member 10 which spans between two parallel lengths of rebar material 11. The first member 10 is fashioned from material such as small diameter metallic stock. An acceptable material for first member 10 is AWG (American Wire Gauge) twelve gauge material. The material may be selected as required to prevent a corrosion resulting from the use of dissimilar metals. Each end 12 of the first member 10 is adapted to attach to attach to the rebar material 11 such that the first member spans between parallel rebar members as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the ends 12 may be bent to form a generally semi-circular end as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Each semi-circular end 12 has a diameter sufficiently large to clip partially around the rebar material 11, but sized such that an interference fit is achieved between each semi-circular end and the body of the rebar material.

Attached to the first member is a second member 13 which attaches to the body of the anchor bolt 14. An acceptable material for second member 13 is AWG thirteen gauge material. When installed, the second member 13 and the anchor bolt 14 will be generally transverse to the first member 10, where the anchor bolt is usually oriented in a generally vertical direction. As with the first member 10, the choice of materials for second member 13 may be selected based upon the desired compatibility, for corrosion resistance purposes, with the anchor bolt 14.

The second member 13 comprises means for attaching the anchor bolt 14 to the second member and retaining the anchor bolt in a generally vertical orientation. The second member 13 and the attached anchor bolt 14 are generally transverse to the first member 10, and generally vertically aligned. The means for attaching the anchor bolt 14 to the second member 13 may comprise an interference fit between portions of the second member and portions of the anchor bolt.

In one embodiment the second member 13 may have a top section 15 and a bottom section 16. The means for retaining the anchor bolt 14 in a generally vertical orientation may comprise attaching second member 13 in such a manner that supports the weight of the bolt, but nevertheless utilizes the weight of the anchor bolt and gravity to maintain anchor bolt in a generally vertical orientation, as the second member and the attached anchor bolt pivot about first member 10. This manner of attachment may comprise fabricating second member 13 from wire material having sufficient stiffness that the bolt is essentially “clamped” between top section 15 and bottom section 16 of second member 13 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. That is, top section 15 asserts a first spring force against a first side of anchor bolt 14 and bottom section 16 asserts a second spring force against the opposite side of the anchor bolt. Second member 13 may be configured such that the clamping force generated by the first spring force and the second spring force is sufficient to support the weight of the anchor bolt 14.

Alternatively, depending upon the center of gravity of the anchor bolt 14, it may be necessary to apply other means to maintain the anchor bolt in a generally vertical position. Second member 13 may retain the anchor bolt 14 in a generally vertical position by applying a first spring force and a second spring force to the anchor bolt, where the anchor bolt is disposed against the first member 10 which acts as a pivot point, P₁. The first spring force, F₁, is applied at a point on the anchor bolt 14 which is a length L₁ from P₁. The second spring force, F₂, is applied at a point on the anchor bolt 14 which is a length L₂ from P₁. In order for the anchor bolt 14 to remain in a generally vertical orientation, it is to be appreciated that F₁×L₁=F₂×L₂. The second member 13 is fashioned in such a manner bolt 14 may be slid within second member 13 until this result is achieved.

The top section 15 may be generally U-shaped, having one long leg 17 and one short leg 18 forming the “U”, where the anchor bolt 14 is bound on one side by the closed section of the “U” and by the first member 10 on the other side, where the first member is engaged by the first member closing off the “U” and the anchor bolt is retained in position by an interference fit. The first spring force, F₁, is applied at the closed section of the “U” at a distance of approximately L₁ from the first member (the pivot point P₁).

The short leg 18 has a looped end 22 adapted to clip around the diameter of the first member 10. The long leg 17 of the “U” extends around the first member 10 (i.e., at the pivot point P₁) generally extending along the length of the anchor bolt 14. At its bottom section 16, at a length of approximately L₂ from the first member 10, the second member 13 wraps around the anchor bolt 14 and is held in place by the second spring force, F₂, which is applied by the bottom section of the second member to the anchor bolt.

The second member 13 may be fashioned from a material similar to that of the first member 10, the material having sufficient elasticity to apply the necessary spring force to hold the anchor bolt 14 in place as described above, yet allowing the bolt to be slid as necessary. As also described above, the second member 13 is of such configuration that the torque applied about P1 by the spring force applied at top section 15 is cancelled out by the torque resulting from the spring force applied at bottom section 16, such that the anchor bolt is retained in a nearly vertical position by the second member 13.

It is to be appreciated that first member 10 may be configured in different shapes, such as embodiment 10′ shown in FIG. 4. Any embodiment configured of wire material is generally acceptable so long as it a generally horizontal support spanning between the rebar material 11, is transverse to the anchor bolt 14, and is capable of being attached to each respective member of the rebar material. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, ends 12′ of first member 10 may be fashioned to loop or wrap around each member of the rebar material 11.

Likewise, second member 13 may be configured in various embodiments and still accomplish the same purpose. For example, an embodiment of second member 13 may have a loop 20 in bottom section 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, an embodiment of second member 13′ may be fashioned to have an end 21 which simply hooks around anchor bolt 14 as shown in FIG. 7. The embodiment of FIG. 7 may utilize the weight of the anchor bolt 14 to maintain the bolt in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, second member 13 has sufficient spring force to support the weight of anchor bolt 14.

A method of using the various embodiments comprises preparing the forms or a trench 23 for pouring a footing. Parallel lengths of rebar material 11 are placed within the forms or trench 23. A first member 10 is disposed between the parallel lengths of rebar material 11, with each end 12 clipped partially around the rebar material. Anchor bolt 14 is placed in the desired location within the space defined by the forms or trench 22 where the anchor bolt is generally transverse to the first member 10. Second member 13 is clipped to the anchor bolt 14 such that the anchor bolt is disposed against the first member, and the second member 13 are attached to the first member 10, such that the anchor bolt is supported in a generally vertical position. Once all anchor bolts 14 have been placed as desired, concrete is poured between the forms or into the trench 23.

While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size, shape, and/or material of the various components may be changed as desired. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead the true scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for retaining an anchor bolt in a generally vertical position when pouring a concrete foundation or footing, the apparatus used in combination with a pair of generally parallel rebar members, the apparatus comprising: a first member, fashioned from wire material, spanning between the rebar members, the first member comprising two ends wherein each end is adapted to attach to a respective rebar member; a second member, fashioned from wire material, attached to the first member, wherein the second member is generally transverse to the first member, wherein the second member comprises a top section configured generally in a U-shape, wherein the “U” is bound on the open side by the first member to form an enclosure and the anchor bolt is contained within the enclosure wherein the second member further comprises means for attaching to the anchor bolt, and means for maintaining the anchor bolt in a generally vertical orientation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member comprises a top section and a bottom section.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means of the second member for attaching the anchor bolt comprises clamping the anchor bolt between the top section and the bottom section of the second member, wherein the top section asserts a first spring force against a first side of the anchor bolt and the bottom section asserts a second spring force against a second side of the anchor bolt, the second side generally opposite facing to the first side, wherein the clamping force generated by the first spring force and the second spring force is sufficient to support the weight of the anchor bolt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for maintaining the anchor bolt in a generally vertical orientation comprises the application by the second member of a first spring force and a second spring force wherein the anchor bolt pivots against the first member and a first torque generated by the first spring force is equivalent to a second torque generated by the second spring force.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the anchor bolt to the second member comprises an interference fit between portions of the second member and portions of the anchor bolt.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each end of the first member comprises a generally semi-circular end having a diameter sized to attach to each rebar member by an interference fit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each end of the first member wraps around a respective rebar member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member comprises AWG twelve gauge material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member comprises AWG thirteen gauge material.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the “U” comprises a long leg and a short leg and the short leg comprises a looped end adapted to clip around the diameter of the first member.
 12. (canceled) 